The problem of subjective modality in the FG model 2574.2.1. Conditionality
As already argued in Section 3.1, subjective epistemic modality becomes
echoic in conditional constructions: it does not express a position taken by
the speaker who uses the conditional, but echoes one voiced by another
speaker in the preceding discourse context. With subjective deontic mo-
dality, conditionality can have the same effect – although because of the
almost systematic ambiguity with non-subjective functions this is not
automatic as it is for epistemic modals. For instance, if we compare (17)
with (18):
(17) The key stumbling block remained Republican insistence on a Medicare
premium increase. Mr Clinton argued that Medicare increases were not nec-
essary to meet demands for a balanced Budget. If America must close down
access to quality education, a clean environment and affordable health care
for our seniors in order to keep the government open, then that price is too
high,” Mr Clinton said in vetoing the temporary spending Bill. (CB)
(18) I suffer from acne but also burn very easily - can I use sun oils? It is always
best to tan gradually, but especially so if you have a sensitive skin. If you
must be exposed to sun that may burn you, it may be wise to use a sun-
screen preparation. (CB)
In (18), the non-subjective deontic modal is unproblematic in the condi-
tional: it does not echo any position taken by another speaker, but simply
expresses that if a situation occurs that requires exposure to sun, it is wise
to use a sun-screen preparation. In (17), on the other hand, the subjective
deontic modal is echoic: must in the protasis does not simply express the
existence of necessity or obligation, but echoes another speaker’s commit-
ment to such an obligation. This is evident from the fact that the
conditional in (17) is rhetorically directed against those who are committed
to Medicare premium increases. The speaker in (17) takes up the Republi-
cans’ position in his conditional protasis without committing himself to it:
the must in (17) is clearly a must that is attributed to the Republicans, and
not a position to which Clinton himself subscribes.
4.2.2. Interrogation
In Section 3.2, it was already argued that interrogation interacts with sub-
jective modality, in that the responsibility for the position encoded by the